Breaking the Stronghold of Satan

Matthew 12:22-29

INTRODUCTION: There is a stronghold of Satan, or as Paul said, "the power of Satan."

"How can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house."

STRONGHOLDS

A strongholdstarts with a thought that leads to a choice. A choice leads to an act. An act repeated leads to a habit. A sinful habit leads to a strongholdwhich Satan establishes as a foothold in some area of a person’s life. It is that area of his life in which a believer will not have victory![1]

JESUS

God is an all powerful God. He is sovereign and reigns over the entire universe. He has not lost control of His world. Through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, He defeated the enemy-Satan, the powers of darkness, sin, and death. In 1 Peter 3:22 the Bible says that Jesus “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” Jesus rules and reigns!

There is no power, or demon on earth or in hell that has power over Jesus Christ, so we are not to fear Satan or his demons. says that “And God placed all things under his feet.” His death on the cross and His resurrection disarmed all the demons of hell.[2]

Three Truths:

May I call your attention to three special truths in this verse.

I. THE SEARCHING "Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods."

a. There's very little question that the house Jesus spoke of is the body. This is a house I dwell in and you dwell in a house of clay.

b. Jesus says this house of sin is dominated by a strong man. Mankind through sin has become the very home and dwelling place of Satan.

c. Jesus presents the searching question: "How can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods?" A life that is possessed by the devil, how can it be changed?

II. THE STRIVING: "Except he first bind the strong man."

a. The "except" in this verse makes all the world of difference. There is One who is able to bind the strong man.

b. You can try to quit all the bad habits of life, but until the strong man in your life is bound you cannot be any different.

III. THE SPOILING: "And then he will spoil his house."

a. There are so many things in a sinner's life that needs spoiling. There are so many habits, so many harbored sins, so many shameful acts.

b. The old sin you thought you couldn't give up is spoiled, that old crowd that you thought you couldn't get along without is spoiled, that place where you used to hang around all the time is spoiled, and everything that was dragging you down and destroying your life is suddenly spoiled.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Golden Nuggets - Golden Nuggets – Volume 12.